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TahlibaBiko
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Posted: Wednesday July 21st, 2004 12:54 |
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A few months back my pc began behaving badly. Pop ups every second; porn sites appearing on desk top; search sites appearing out of the blue, especially when trying to follow a link; loss of control of mouse; page unavailable and a load of other crap.
I eventually got someone to sort it out and things were fine for a few weeks and than it all went awol again...only worse this time. We lost many programmes, the worse being media player(the pc is connected to hifi and music is always on) whenever tried to open it told low memory; could log on to hotmail/Yahoo, but not read any mail; could open only some websites (usually only through favourites) but then could not post or open links; printer and webcam disapeared completely; continual crashing- an error report would pop up and then would crash. (especially if using internet explorer ); finding programmes we had not downloaded and unable to remove them...and then some.
Meanwhile zonealarm which was added was informing me every second(literally) that some one was attempting to access my pc. And the virus scan(or whatever) was finding sh*t every time (and it was scanned at one point every couple of hours) Oh and I couldn't access windows updates and when I did, couldn't access links.
So got someone again to look into it and they were baffled, they adviced that I backup files and start again...but then we couldn't back up files couldn't copy anything. Lost all files, pictures, videos, music, documents-Everything, felt like being robbed and having no insurance.
We did try to download most of stuff on to old pc, but it we couldn't network(I should have done that from time)
Anyway pc removed of all history is like new, speed is at level when first bought(oh at this point I should mention windows XP) We all spent first few days trying to find sites that we used regularly(the person who shall remain nameless who was assigned to writing down addresses did so then threw the paper away) And searching for advice on how to stop this happening again.
A week later sh*t starts again, pc starts freezing/crashing and zonealarm are working overtime, so I did a system restore, to the point before we had all added our favourite sites and things seemed ok. But then last few days starting to get a lot of pop ups again, one a game actually starts to download if you are not quick enough to stop it. And only I am having trouble getting onto some sites and posting on them or following links when I do, so far the kids have not experienced this problem.
Could someone tell me what happened, how I stop it and what is the best protection . Oh and how do I get my printer back... I have a Lexmark X74 but even with the disk it won't reconnect, I have had to put on old printer(the kids are not impressed-but hey I am saving a fortune in ink and paper)
Technoir could do with your expertise right now
But before you all start with the advice, please keep it basic, I am not computer literate
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Ijexa
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Posted: Wednesday July 21st, 2004 14:39 |
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@Tahliba
http://www.panicware.com/product_psfree.html
Ijexa
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TahlibaBiko
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Posted: Thursday July 22nd, 2004 00:00 |
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Ijexa wrote: @Tahliba
http://www.panicware.com/product_psfree.html
Ijexa
Thanks for that Ijexa, but I am a bit reluctant to download anything...infact warned my children they are to download nothing, no matter how innocent it appears...have you/are you using this programme???
To be honest I can live with the pop ups, its loosing control of my pc that is the problem.
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We are nothing on earth if we are not, first of all, slaves of the cause of the people, the cause of justice, the cause of liberty.
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Ijexa
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Posted: Thursday July 22nd, 2004 00:13 |
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@Tahliba
Sis... am using this sofyware...
It's mandatory... pop-ups and cookies are two ways of accessing your PC... so it is well advised to vet all cookies downloaded via your browser...
Pop-ups allow the execution of ActiveX... java and flash components on your computer,,, some may be benign and just mildly irritating... others may be more sinister...
Two other programs which may come in handy is;
1. Spybot search and destroy.
2. LavaSoft's Ad-ware.
Both do a damn fine job of removal miscellaneous spy and adware from your computer...
Very few programs need to actively access the internet... your web-browser, certainn components of the operating system... and excluding these... nothing else requires an automatic right to access the internet... and even these two do not need to accept connections from the web... so lock down those programs which you allow access to the web... and deny access to all thos programs wishing to accept connections from the internet...
...Also... once you've familiarised yourself with ZoneAlarm... and have it configured for your use... switch off the notification pop-ups... and let it run in the background unseen...
...Ole Bill working overtime to install/monitor what people access and are using on the net...
Do install these three programs... once you've run them initially... you should then take the time out and establish a regular schedule to scan your PC... weekly or monthly...
Ijexa
P.S. Good to see you around...
*S*
Take care...
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TahlibaBiko
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Posted: Thursday July 22nd, 2004 00:37 |
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 Ijexa
good to see you around (familiar name and all that) Okay bro, I am going to take your word and download this .
Interstingly spybot is one of the popups I keep getting!
And I did have Ad-ware untill I restored (got to the point where I thought some of my safegaurds were actually part of the problem-call me paranoid)
And my problem with zonealarm was I wasn't always sure what needed access and what didn't-computer illiteracy-and I had the free download version, being the source of the problem. I currently have it running unseen(cause I couldn't take anymore of those alert pop ups-but it was interesting to see how many attempts to connect with my pc were made-every few seconds. However it seems that it isn't working to its fullness.
Thanks again for your assistance, like i said, I feel like I have been mugged again, only this time I have no insurance(or atleast the articles stolen are more of a sentimental value)
Last edited on Thursday July 22nd, 2004 00:40 by TahlibaBiko
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Frantz Fanon
We are nothing on earth if we are not, first of all, slaves of the cause of the people, the cause of justice, the cause of liberty.
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TahlibaBiko
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Posted: Thursday July 22nd, 2004 01:26 |
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Here's a joke I just checked out one of the ad-ware sites and it was stating how ones pc ends up with spy ware, giving a list of reasons, one of which is if your pc is on more than 4 hours...
Please...our (it is a family thing) pc is rarely even switched off. From first thing in the morning (6.30am) till last thing at night-and some nights it never gets switched off at all and it can end up being on for 2-3 days-such is its use, in this household.(the main source of arguments in this house are over who's turn it is to use the pc)
You all probably noticed that my main usage is early hours of the morning-when everyone else is in bed and I don't have one of the kids/neigbours/friends standing over my shoulder, asking have I finnished yet!
Another reason is the use of music download sites, such as Kazaa, again even my 6 year old is downloading music( I just listen to what they share-got to say my kids have good taste in music-obviously inluenced by their mother)
And as for free screensavers, I have had to demand that the kids stop downloading these, they used to change them for fun and its like they were trying to out do one another, on a weekly basis, on the most unusual screensaver.
It is funny because I allow my children complete access to this pc (it is situated in what should be my diningroom), even the local kids get to come in and use it. And yet when they stay or visit friends houses they are aware of the fact that their friends are not allowed open access to the pc-due to it being an expensive product. Infact many of their friends have little, if any access at all. Which bemuses my children. My daughter recently announced that she no longer wanted to vist a paticular friends, house since they were not allowed to "play with the pc" I am begining to wonder if it is time I adopted the same attitude, to both my kids and neighbours(some of whom even get a key to my home when I am at work to use my pc)-it could account for the porn sites!!!
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Frantz Fanon
We are nothing on earth if we are not, first of all, slaves of the cause of the people, the cause of justice, the cause of liberty.
____________________
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Menzer
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Posted: Thursday July 22nd, 2004 13:49 |
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The advice from Ijexa is pretty much the same I would give.
It's cleans up 95% of the crap that attacks your comp, but you'll find that when you reboot your machine that 5% reactivates the hijacking software that redownloads the spyware you removed.
These guys are getting real smart... So I use a little file called hijackthis.exe this is a stand alone program, but can be found with most good spyware remover programs.
anyway, after you have removed your spywares... run the hijackthis program, before you reboot. Follow instructions then run spyware remover again, run the hijackthis software once more then reboot.
You can find the program here http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/HijackThis.exe
Hope this helps.
----------------------------------------
Here is another alternative:
Buy an external USB hard drive... you can get them as big as you want 120gig or more...
Make sure all your documents and Music files and whatever else is important data to you is stored on this drive. The reason I say USB external is if you want to change your machine or hook it up to another machine (friends machine blah blah) then it's a matter of plug and go.
Also set your computer to back up your computer settings and preferences to the drive every night using the Windows Backup facility, like your Web favorites, emails directory.
Once you have done that, get a program, called Deepfreeze. Everytime you switch your computer off and on again it will take the computer back to your orginal configuration, removing everything installed on your computer since you last switched it on...
Example you switch on at:
12pm, you only have Microsoft Word, Excel, Some games, your broadband and other general bits and bobs intalled on your comp to keep you sweet.
1pm you install a new game, your playing the game and all is well.
2pm you stop playing and decide to surf the internet... Bam!!!! you hit a virus, Spyware and hijacking program takes over your comp.... you are frenchconnectionuked.
2.05pm switch computer off and on again
2.06pm Back to it's orginal state no virus.. however the new game you just installed will be gone as well.
The DeepFreeze program is configurable so if you need to install a software all you will need to do is thaw your hard drive first (and i don't mean take it out the freezer) the program will take care of that.
-------------------------
If all that sounds to much.....
9/10 these attack come from downloading sites like you mentioned so the best thing to do to avoid popups is pay to be registered.... ;-)
Last edited on Thursday July 22nd, 2004 13:52 by Menzer
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Nick
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Posted: Thursday July 22nd, 2004 20:07 |
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Try downloading and running this:-
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/CWShredder.exe
Its a very powerful spyware/adware removal tool, my favorite at the moment.
If you would like to know more about these nasty things that keep attacking you, his site has some great info on it.
To sum it up, Zonealarm won't stop you from getting infected with spyware, it will stop some viruses like Blaster, and maybe stop somebody gaining access to your pc, but thats about it.
Spyware installs itself when a dodgy web page (which might look honest) carries it. Most use loop holes in Internet Explorer, mainly ActiveX, to install the code on your computer. Switching to a different browser is one option. Installing Service Pack 2 for XP might also give you some more protection.
Personally I use the application above if I ever get infected. I have spybot running in the background which should in theory stop anything infecting me. I also run a freeware popup blocker.
I guess its sad that from when I enter my password, my computer takes nearly twice the time to load my desktop due to all the anti virus / anti spyware / popup blockers....etc loading. But I guess thats the world we live in.
Alternativly, switch to linux, its free and secure.
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Menzer
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Posted: Friday July 23rd, 2004 00:04 |
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| Agreed...
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TahlibaBiko
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Posted: Friday July 23rd, 2004 11:51 |
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@All
Thank You
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Frantz Fanon
We are nothing on earth if we are not, first of all, slaves of the cause of the people, the cause of justice, the cause of liberty.
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Ijexa
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Posted: Friday July 23rd, 2004 14:45 |
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@Tahliba
Hmmmmmm...
Would you allow anybody to use your bank account or credit card details... your passport... your national insurance number...?
That is potentially what you are doing when you allow non-family members to use your PC...
***Shakes head***
If someone uses your PC and accesses child porn... then it's pointless you saying to the police or judge that it wasn't you... simple... it's your PC... everyone one who is caught with this kind of material always denies it... the evidence speaks for itself...
On an aside... new younger generation are kicking up a storm... and it's actually good to see...
***Scratches head***
It's even caused me to re-evaluate my opinion upwards of the intestinal fortitude... intelligence of the younger generation...
*S*
And it's does bode well... for us... our people and our future...
@Menzer @Nick
Excellent information... have made a note of those two programs... both of which I was unaware of...
Personal security... information security is a critical subject which I think many do not treat as seriously as they should... the same level of security which we apply to our physical person... our home and our possesions... should be applied even more electronically...
Thanks...
Ijexa
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queen9ile
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Posted: Thursday July 29th, 2004 05:55 |
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Sometimes when your computer is very messed up you just have to start from scratch....meaning re-loading your operating system. If you are sharing your computer you might want to go with an new operating system such as Windows XP or Windows 2000 and allow your guest to log in under the guest account.
Sorry if I sound a little technical but this is what I do for a living. If you do not know how to install an operating system you may just want to go a head and pay a computer tech or take it to your nearest computer store that offers this service. Make sure you take your copy of your own software.
If your computer is infected with adware, trojan hourses, and other viruses....and you have no computer training it can be almost impossible to fix the problems. Although virus programs work you might have to do some manual cleaning to assist with the software. Your virus software maker should have a website you can go to for instructions. Believe me when people at my company get infected most of the time I don't bother with a lot of quick fix software I just whip out the whole system and before I attach it to go out over the Internet I install all the protection software first.
If you do get a clean install of your Operating System before you connect it to the Internet:
1. Install your virus protection....I recommend Norton anti-virus....once installed download the latest virus definitions
2. Go to Microsoft's official website and install all security patches, service packs, and and any other updates for your specific operating system.
3. Install a firewall.....Zone Alarm is a good firewall. Most or your programs do not need access to the Internet such as Microsoft office except for (Outlook if you use it for email) so when it attempts to go out just say no and check the box so that it does not ask again. Programs that will need access are programs like instant messengers, your Internet connection manager, your media players, new updates for your virus definitions, windows updates, email programs......just think about it for a second before you allow anything to go out and if you do allow it to go out check the box to always allow that particular program to go out and you will find that you are prompted less. Take a moment to read the help files for Zone Alarm and take the tour that they offer when it is newly installed. Firewalls are mostly setup to block things from coming in and what it blocks from coming in you should not be concerned with so configure the program to NOT alert you about the things that it blocks from coming in.....YOU are only concerned with what is going out OK.....see trojan horses set them selves up on your computer to track you and after it is installed it will attempt to access the Internet........and that is when you block it from going out.
4. Install addware protection.....when you are installing these program make sure you are downloading them from a credible site.....I recommend http://www.download.com here you will find not only the newest program for protection but you will get recommendation's about if it is any good or not as far as ease of use is concerned. A lot of this software is beta so you might even luck up and get it for free.
5. Fight virus every day by keeping your virus definitions up to date, running your addware to clean out malicious cookies, and go to Microsoft.com and install the software to automatically send you the new security patches for your operating system.
I'm sorry if you can't install your own OS, but I would recommend a fresh start if you can afford to pay someone to do this for you. But make sure if you do pay someone to do it that they also know how to install and configure all your software afterward and get you properly connected back to the Internet.
Good luck
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TahlibaBiko
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Posted: Thursday August 26th, 2004 15:59 |
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Moi again
from an internet cafe
Ok did all i was advised(Queen9ile, never saw your advice untill just now)
pc worked reasonably fine for a while. Went away for few days leaving sister and her deliquents at my place, come back to find cannot even get into pc...screen comes up with user accounts...when you click on any of them, even mine which doesn't have a password it sets out like it is opening up and then switches to logging off immediately...
Is it time i got a new pc? Or should i be looking at, changing ISP?
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Frantz Fanon
We are nothing on earth if we are not, first of all, slaves of the cause of the people, the cause of justice, the cause of liberty.
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Nick
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Posted: Thursday August 26th, 2004 18:50 |
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Um...Have you tried going in via safe mode? (press F8 as the computer starts up and then select safe mode)
Or holding down left shift while just after you logged in.
If neither of them do anything, its a bit tricky to diagnose the problem without getting to the desktop.
Let me know how you get on.
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